Prizes and Awards
Prizes of varying amounts in both general and specialized fields are provided for students through gifts and bequests to the College, and as annual awards.
The Charles Fritz Absolon Memorial Prize is awarded each year to the outstanding graduating geology major, as determined by the faculty of the Department of Geology. The recipient’s name is imprinted on the bookplates of the library books and periodicals purchased that year with income from the Charles Fritz Absolon Memorial Fund. The recipient also receives a certificate of recognition.
The Adair Prize is given annually to the member of the graduating class who has been most outstanding during his or her college career in building morale, esprit de corps, and loyalty to the ideals of the College, without particular relation to academic standing. A fund for the prize was established in 1945 by the late Dr. Frank E. Adair, Class of 1910.
The Alpha Delta Kappa Prize, established in 1977 by the local chapter of the national honor society for women in education, consists of an annual award to the student who, in the judgment of the Department of Education, exhibits the qualities necessary for success in the teaching profession.
The Alpha Lambda Delta Awards are given annually by the Marietta College chapter of the National Honor Society for freshmen.
The Alpha Lambda Delta Outstanding Senior Award is given annually by the Marietta College chapter of the National Honor Society for freshmen to the senior with the highest grade point average.
The Alpha Tau Omega Auxiliary Award is given annually to the freshman member with the highest scholastic standing of that fraternity’s pledge class.
The Alpha Xi Delta Award, established in 1956, is awarded annually to the member of the graduating class who has achieved academic excellence in the Department of Communication and who has exhibited proficiency in the practical application of oral communication skills. The recipient must have a 3.5 cumulative grade point average and have declared either a major or minor in the department. The faculty of the Department of Communication makes the selection. In addition to the cash award given by the Alpha Xi Delta Women’s Fraternity, the Communication Faculty presents the recipient with a year’s membership in the National Communication Association.
The Alumni Association Community Service Award, established in 1975, is conferred at Commencement to the graduating senior who has demonstrated continuing involvement as a leader and close participant in an activity deemed to be of value to the community or area. Selection is made by the Faculty Council. The award consists of the placement of the recipient’s name on a permanent plaque.
The Theodore Bennett Memorial Fund is awarded to the member of the junior class who is considered by the Department of Mathematics to be most outstanding in the department. The award consists of tuition credit, membership in the Mathematical Association of America, and placement of the recipient’s name on a plaque. Dr. Bennett taught mathematics at the College from 1937-70 and chaired the department for 25 years. Additionally, the Department of Music awards an annual tuition credit scholarship to one of its majors in recognition of Dr. Bennett’s long and active interest in the piano and organ.
The Harry H. Beren of Marietta, Ohio, Award is given annually to one or more students who excel in the field of petroleum engineering, selected by the chairperson of the Edwy R. Brown Department of Petroleum Engineering. It is funded by the estate of the late Harry H. Beren.
The Beta Beta Beta Prize is awarded annually to the student who is a member of the Beta Beta Beta Honor Society and who, in the judgment of the faculty of the Department of Biology, has shown the most enthusiasm for basic research and done the most meritorious undergraduate research.
The William L. Buelow Juried Prize is awarded each semester to the student who, in the judgment of the faculty of the Edward E. MacTaggart Department of Music, has done the most outstanding work in applied music study. Given anonymously, the individual prize is credited to the winner’s tuition if the student continues applied music study at the College in the following semester.
The Chapin Prize is awarded annually at Commencement to a student of any class for excellence in the study of a foreign language. The selection of the recipient is made by the Department of Modern Languages. Established in 1962 with a fund from the estate of Laura W. Friederich, Class of 1902, the prize memorializes the late George Scott Chapin, professor of modern languages, 1942-49.
The Sherrill Cleland Prize in Leadership was established by the Board of Trustees upon President Sherrill Cleland’s retirement in 1989 to recognize Dr. Cleland’s efforts to instill qualities and skills of leadership as a major component of Marietta College’s educational program during his 16 years of personal leadership. It is given annually to the most outstanding of the graduating McDonough scholars majoring in International Leadership Studies or minoring in Leadership Studies, chosen by the staff of The McDonough Center for Leadership and Business from among those nominated by students enrolled in the McDonough Leadership Program.
The Sherrill and Diana Drake Cleland Leadership Award for Experiential Learning was established by Dr. and Mrs. Cleland in 2000 to encourage the study of leadership and recognize its value as part of a liberal arts education in the pursuit of a successful career. Recipients must use this award to participate in leadership experiences off campus that will enhance their coursework and foster campus leadership activities. Dr. Cleland served as the 14th president of Marietta College from 1973 to 1989.
The Michael J. Conte Educator as Leader Award was established in 2005 by the Education Department and the McDonough Leadership Program to honor the memory of Michael Conte, an early childhood major and McDonough Leadership certificate candidate. This award is given to an outstanding member of the junior class who is pursuing the leadership minor or certificate and is majoring in education.
The Michael J. Conte Excellence in Leadership Award was established in the Spring of 2005 in memory of Michael J. Conte, Student Body President. The award is given to a sophomore, junior or senior whose contributions to the College have been positive, salutatory and inspirational. The recipient typically maintains a 3.0 cumulative grade point average or better and at the time of the award, demonstrates campus-wide leadership and involvement, and creates a legacy of positive impact on future student leaders.
The Dean’s Choice Scholarship was established in 1996 by the School of Accountancy of Ohio University. The Dean of the Faculty and the accounting faculty of the Department of Business & Economics select as the recipient one senior accounting major planning to enter the University’s Master of Business Administration Program. The scholarship includes a full-tuition waiver for three quarters. The recipient may also be appointed to a graduate assistantship.
The Delta Tau Delta Robert L. Jones Prize is awarded annually to the student who achieved the highest scholastic standing while a member of the freshman class. The prize was established in 1970. In 1975 it was renamed to honor Dr. Robert L. Jones, a member of the fraternity, who retired that year after teaching history at the College since 1938. In the event of a tie, the candidate whose average is figured on the larger number of credit hours will be the recipient.
The Delta Upsilon Good Citizenship Award, established by the Marietta chapter of Delta Upsilon fraternity, is given annually at Commencement in honor of its members who gave their lives in World War II. The award, a plaque, is made to a member of the graduating class, man or woman, who, in the opinion of the Faculty Council, has shown outstanding qualities as to 1) scholarship, 2) leadership, 3) character, and 4) participation in extracurricular activities.
The Michael S. Dorfman Memorial Prize was established in 1975 by the College’s chapter of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity in memory of Mr. Dorfman, a member of the Class of 1975. The award is made annually to the member of the junior class majoring in psychology who, in the judgment of the faculty of that department, is considered most promising as determined by scholarship, ethical standards, and dedication.
The Eggleston-Ruby Prize is given annually at Commencement to the member of the graduating class whose special field of interest is biology and who, in the judgment of the faculty in that department, has done the most meritorious work in biology. The prize was established by the late Dr. Victor M. Ruby, Class of 1942, and named in memory of his friend and teacher, Harla Ray Eggleston, head of the Department of Biology from 1915 until his retirement in 1960, and his grandfather, the Rev. Susman Ruby of Marietta. Contributions in memory of Professor Eggleston’s son, Arthur G., were added to the funds in 1982.
The Emerson Prize may be awarded annually for the best original poem or group of poems by a student or graduate of the College. The poem or group of poems must be approximately 100 lines in length and submitted to the Department of English faculty no later than April 15. A permanent fund for the prize was established by the will of the late William D. Emerson.
Laura Scott Etter Science Award shall be used to provide an award to the student from the physical sciences (physics, chemistry, geology and environmental engineering) with the most outstanding capstone project, as evaluated by a faculty team.
The Robert E. and Sally S. Evans Civic Engagement Internship Award is an annual award established by Mrs. Evans to recognize the lasting legacy Robert E. Evans established in the community through his many civic responsibilities. The Award provides a summer stipend to a deserving Leadership student at Marietta College who is committed to spending the summer in Marietta interning in a non-profit organization.
The Robert E. Evans Internship Award was established by Michael J. ’87 and Denise M. Salvino to recognize the substantial contributions of Robert E. Evans to Marietta College and the McDonough Leadership Program. Funds from this endowment assist students in completing experiential learning internships in the for-profit sector prior to graduation.
The Fenner Fowler Memorial Prize is awarded annually to the student who has made the greatest academic achievement in the History Department and contributed the greatest service to the department by his or her junior year. The prize was established in 1956 by the late Mrs. Aline Fenner Kempton, Class of 1912, as a memorial to her parents, William James and Nellie Fowler Fenner.
The William A. and Prudence A. Fields Music Performance Award was established in 1987 by Attorney and Mrs. Fields to recognize excellence in applied music performance. The award may be made each semester by the Department of Music faculty to encourage applied music study with first preference given to voice and piano students. The recipient does not have to major in music, but must participate actively in the College music program and does not have to demonstrate financial need. At the discretion of the Department of Music faculty, the award may be given more than once to the same student.
The Donald F. Frail Memorial Award, established in 1972, is made each year to that physical education major, man or woman, in the graduating class adjudged most worthy by the faculty in the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. The award was made possible by contributions from alumni, students, parents, colleagues, and friends. It consists of a cash prize and the placement of the recipient’s name on a plaque in the Ban Johnson Field House. Coach Frail served as head track and assistant football coach from 1968 until his death in 1972.
The Paul Fulton Memorial Awards are given annually to students majoring in petroleum engineering or geology. Four awards are given to juniors to provide support for student research projects. One award is given to a graduating senior in recognition of his or her completed research project. Award recipients are selected by the trustees of the Southeastern Ohio Oil and Gas Association. The Fulton Awards are supported from income earned by the Paul Fulton Memorial Fund, an endowment established at Marietta College by members of the Southeastern Ohio Oil and Gas Association, Rampp Co., and family and friends of the late Mr. Fulton.
The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio Scholarship provides an annual grant of $1,000 to an able and deserving young person of the senior class from any high school in Ohio.
The Greek Man-of-the-Year Award, a plaque, was established in 1972 by the Interfraternity Council. It is awarded to the senior fraternity man who is deemed by the selection committee to have contributed most to the improvement, strengthening, and functioning of the Greek system at the College.
The Greek Scholar Award, is given annually by the Division of Student Life to the man or woman with the highest cumulative GPA of all graduating members of the Greek Life community.
The Greek Woman-of-the-Year Award was established by the Panhellenic Cancel in 1972. It is awarded to the outstanding senior sorority woman who is deemed by the selection committee to have contributed most to the improvement, strength, and overall success of the Marietta College Greek system. The students' names are recognized on a plaque on disp
The Rev. Carl A. Grimm Memorial Award, established by his family in 1976, is given annually to a Marietta College student who plans to pursue a full-time career in religion. Selection is made by the faculty in the Department of Religion.
The Raymond G. Guthrie Prize, established in 1970, honors the late professor of education who taught at the College from 1927 until retirement in 1965. The prize is awarded to the senior seeking teacher certification who, in the judgment of the Department of Education, best represents his or her academic area in preparation for teaching. Funded through contributions of friends and former students of Professor Guthrie, the award consists of a subscription to a professional journal and placement of the recipient’s name on a plaque in Erwin Hall.
The William Heacock Memorial Fund was established in 1988 by friends of the late Mr. Heacock, the foremost writer in the field of Victorian pattern glass in America. Each academic year, the student who writes the most outstanding paper in the senior history capstone course receives a $500 award from the Heacock Memorial Fund. Papers are judged in a public forum by members of the History Department faculty.
The Hyde Prizes, founded by the late Hon. William Hyde of Ware, Massachusetts, are given to the two students of the sophomore class with the highest scholastic standing. First and second prizes are applied on tuition for the junior year. In the event of place ties, candidates whose cumulative grade point averages are figured on the larger number of credit hours will be the recipients.
The William Bay Irvine Medal was established in 1963 by the Student Senate on behalf of the student body in recognition of President Irvine’s lifetime contribution to the advancement of Marietta College. The medal is awarded annually at Commencement to the outstanding man or woman of the senior class. The recipient is selected on the basis of the degree and extent of involvement in student participating activities, and loyalty and service to Marietta College.
The Jewett Prize is given annually to the two members of the graduating class whose orations, in competition with other aspirants for the prize, are judged most excellent in composition and delivery. These two students will deliver their award-winning orations at Commencement. The prize was established by the will of the late Milo Parker Jewett, a teacher in the Marietta Collegiate Institute from 1833 to 1835, professor of rhetoric at Marietta College from 1835 to 1838, and the first president of Vassar College.
The Kingsbury Prizes, founded by J. Munro Brown of New York City in memory of the late Addison Kingsbury, D.D., of Marietta, are given to the two students of the junior class with the highest scholastic standing. The prizes are applied on tuition for the senior year. In the event of ties, candidates whose cumulative grade point averages are figured on the larger number of credit hours will be determined as the recipients.
The Carleton Knight III Memorial Award was established by the family and friends of the late Carleton Knight III, Class of 1966. The award, which reflects his commitment to the highest standards of professional achievement as evidenced by his own career as writer, journalist, and editor, is given annually at Commencement to a graduating senior who has demonstrated excellence in the mass media program at Marietta College. Recipients are selected by the faculty of the Department of Media Studies.
The E. B. Krause Chemistry Achievement Award, consisting of an appropriate gift and placement of the recipient’s name on a plaque in Selby Chemistry Building, memorializes Elwyn Busian Krause, who taught chemistry at Marietta from 1927 to 1960. The award goes to a student who has shown outstanding academic achievement in a first-year chemistry course.
The LaVallee Award in Chemistry, conferred on an outstanding member of the graduating class whose major was chemistry, is given by the Upper Ohio Valley Section of the American Chemical Society. Selection is by the faculty of the Department of Chemistry. The award, a year’s membership in the American Chemical Society, memorializes George A. LaVallee of Marietta, a founder of the local section of ACS.
The Maria Leonard Award is presented to the graduating senior member with the highest grade point average. Other senior members who have maintained a 3.5 or better cumulative grade point average receive certificates.
The Ralph M. Lindamood Prize, established in 1984, recognizes the service of Mr. Lindamood, associate professor of physical education (1964-84) and crew coach (1959-84). Created by former students, crewmen, and friends, this cash award is given annually at Commencement to a graduating senior in recognition of that person being selected Outstanding Senior Oarsperson.
The Ronald L. Loreman Prize in Theatre Arts was established in 2005 by members of the Theatre Advisory Board, other alumni and friends of the College. The prize honors Ronald L. Loreman, Emeritus Professor of Communication and Theatre, who taught at the College from 1960 until his retirement in 2004. The monetary prize of $150 is awarded to a senior student who has made an outstanding contribution to the theatre program at Marietta College. Selection of the recipient shall be recommended each spring semester by the faculty members of the Theatre Department.
The Margaret Ward Martin Prize may be awarded annually to the junior or senior submitting the best original piece of creative writing. Manuscripts must be submitted to the Department of English faculty not later than April 15. No person having once received the prize shall be eligible for it again. It is given in memory of Margaret Ward Martin, Class of 1934, by her family, Mrs. Eleanor Ward Lemon, Class of 1930; the late Mrs. Mary Ward Gleysteen, Class of 1932; and the late Mrs. Asa E. Ward, Class of 1902.
The Asa Shinn McCoy Award is given to a member of the graduating class who receives his or her degree summa cum laude or magna cum laude and who is, in the opinion of the Faculty Council, worthy of the honor. A fund for the fellowship to be used for graduate study was established by the late James C. McCoy of Grasse, France, as a memorial to his father, the Rev. Asa Shinn McCoy, valedictorian of the Class of 1849, a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and president of the Illinois Female College at Jacksonville.
The Modern Language Travel Award was established in 2013 to promote and recognize students’ achievement in a foreign language, as well as dedication and commitment to the study of foreign languages. The grant from the award covers travel expenses for students who plan to enroll in a semester or summer study abroad program with a minimum of 3 hours of transferable credit.
The Robert M. Naddour Award, established in 1983, honors the memory of Mr. Naddour (1959-83), assistant professor of petroleum engineering (1982-83), who died in an automobile accident. Recipients are selected from senior members of the Society of Petroleum Engineers nominated by Pi Epsilon Tau members to the faculty of the Edwy R. Brown Department of Petroleum Engineering who make the final selection. Qualified nominees should demonstrate industry, motivation, and enthusiasm in their academic work and sociability in departmental activities as well as scholarship.
The Dana Rymer Patterson Prize is given each year at Commencement to the graduating senior who, in the judgment of the Department of Art faculty, has performed meritorious work in art, preferably in painting. The cash prize honors the late Mrs. Patterson, a charter member of the Ohio River Valley Chapter of the National Society of Arts and Letters and its national vice president (1964-66). The prize was established in 1984 by her husband, the late Dr. Merrill Reeves Patterson, dean of the College (1948-67).
The Merrill Reeves Patterson Award is presented at Commencement each year to the graduating English major who, in the judgment of the Department of English faculty, has performed meritorious work in English literature, preferably with attention to Shakespeare. The medal, first awarded in 1980, honors the late Dr. Patterson, Hillyer professor and chairman of the Department of English (1939-67), dean of the College (1948-67), director of academic advising (1967-72), and mentor to countless students who affectionately called him “Dean Pat.”
The Roger Patterson ATO Award was established to recognize the dedication to and appreciation of brother, advisor, and mentor, Roger Patterson. The Beta Rho brothers have established this endowed fund to benefit brothers attending the College. It shall be used to provide one or more undergraduate awards to be awarded by the Office of Advancement using the following guidelines: 1. Recipients must be a Beta Rho, ATO who has completed his third year at Marietta College 2. Minimum grade point averages of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and making satisfactory progress toward an undergraduate degree. If no ATO meets the required GPA average, it shall be awarded to an ATO in need.
The Outstanding Faculty Award, established by the student body governing board in 1984, is presented each year to the member of the faculty who demonstrates excellence in teaching and College involvement as determined by a selection process administered by the Student Senate. Nominated faculty members are judged, among other things, on presentation of course material, fair and ethical teaching practices, rapport with students, and extent of involvement in College activities. A faculty member may receive the award more than once.
The Phi Alpha Theta Key is awarded annually by Gamma Mu Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honor society, to the member of the graduating class who, in the judgment of the faculty members in Phi Alpha Theta, has done the most meritorious work in the subject of history.
The Sharon Roush Memorial Prize was established in 1983 by friends and relatives of Ms. Roush, a member of the Class of 1982 who died unexpectedly on April 21, 1983. The income is awarded by the Department of Psychology each year to a student who, like Ms. Roush, has high moral integrity and also has distinguished her or himself in the field of psychology.
The Schmidt Prize is given annually to the member of the graduating class who, regardless of academic standing, demonstrated the strongest desire to complete his or her education at Marietta College despite severe obstacles of any nature. The prize was established in 1963 with a permanent fund given in memory of the late Stephen N. Schmidt, Class of 1918, and Mrs. Margaret E. Schmidt, by their four sons: Robert S. Schmidt, Class of 1951; Charles D. Schmidt, Class of 1953; John D. Schmidt, Class of 1955; and Thomas E. Schmidt, Class of 1959.
The Stephen Schwartz Prize in Poetry, sponsored by the Academy of American Poets’ university and college poetry prize program, is awarded annually to the student whose poem is judged the best of those submitted for the local campus contest. Endowed by Laura Baudo, the prize is named in honor of Stephen W. Schwartz, emeritus professor of English.
The Kenneth E. Showalter ’50 Special Collections Research Award is presented annually to an undergraduate or graduate student who creates the best research paper or project using the primary sources of the Slack Research Collections of the Legacy Library. The award is made annually by the Director of the Library and the staff of the Legacy Library’s Special Collections Department in consultation with faculty members in departments using the collections and upon the recommendation of an award committee.
The Sigma Sigma Sigma Mabel Lee Walton Memorial Award was established in 1974 by the Marietta chapter of that sorority in recognition of its lifelong national president. The award goes to the member of the senior class who throughout his or her college career has shown concern for and made efforts to help the handicapped. Additional consideration is given to students planning to make special education their careers.
The Lillian Sinclair Graduate Student Award was established in 2005 to honor the graduate student who has shown the greatest persistence in overcoming obstacles to finish his or her degree. The directors of the graduate programs will select the student deserving of this award. The award memorializes Lillian Sinclair, Class of 1923, registrar from 1926 to 1967, and recipient in 1978 of the Distinguished Alumna Award.
The Sally Snead Macatol Fellowship was established in 1999 by her husband Dr. Fortunato Macatol, and friends of the honoree, to encourage applied music study and/or ensemble participation to those students who work hard, and add so much to the performing areas of the music department. Each year, a maximum of equal cash stipends are awarded by the music department faculty in memory of Sally Snead Macatol, wife, mother of four children, and Registered Nurse, who returned to school and earned a B.A. in music from Marietta College in 1993. She was a pianist and vocalist who participated in the Concert Choir and Oratorio Chorus for a number of years.
The SPE Award is made annually to a senior member of the Marietta College student chapter of the Society of Petroleum Engineers who has contributed significantly to the professional activities of the chapter and to the student attitude and esprit de corps of the Edwy R. Brown Department of Petroleum Engineering. Selection is made by the department and the directors of the Appalachian Petroleum Section of the SPE.
The SPE Student Chapter Award is given annually by the student chapter of the Society of Petroleum Engineers. The award, a set of technological monographs, is presented to the student majoring in petroleum engineering who has the highest cumulative grade point average in all his or her courses during the freshman year.
The Burton E. Stevenson Prizes may be awarded annually for essays devoted to some phase of American literature. Topics should be assigned by the instructor in American literature or the head of the Department of English. Manuscripts must be submitted to the Department of English faculty not later than April 15 of the current year. Recipients of prizes are not eligible to compete again. The prizes were established by the late Burton E. Stevenson, Lit. D., –1955.
The Tau Pi Phi Prize is awarded annually by Gamma Chapter of Tau Pi Phi, the national business honorary, to the member of the graduating class who compiled the highest scholastic average in business, economics, and management courses while at Marietta College. The winner must be a major in the Brachman Department of Business & Economics. The prize was established in 1956.
The Walker Prize in Biochemistry was established by the Marietta College Chemistry Club in 2010 to honor Robert Walker, who taught Chemistry and Biochemistry at Marietta College. The award goes to the top graduating Biochemistry Major as determined by the faculty of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
The Ralph White, Jr. Memorial Professional Development and Travel Award was established in 2016 by the White family to assist students with interests in writing and photography and who wish to participate in experiential education opportunities such as internships, study abroad, and professional conferences. Preference is given to students with junior standing in a digital media or broadcasting related major.
The William O. Whetsell Student Community Service Award is presented annually to the Marietta College junior who demonstrates a record of marked distinction in service to the College, the local community, and, in a scholarly fashion, attempts to link the service performed with an academic field or discipline. This award is presented by The McDonough Center for Leadership and Business in honor of the late William O. Whetsell. His lifetime of service is an example to our faculty, staff, and students who value community service as an integral part of the contemporary liberal arts education.
The Willard Awards recognize the achievements of students in the theatre program. Certificates are awarded by the Theatre faculty to students of every class who excel in theatre activity. The winners of the awards for performers and technicians in the plays produced during the year are determined by balloting among the students participating in the productions. The Willard Awards evoke the name of the late Willard J. Friederich, a faculty member from 1946 to 1979, who established the theatre program at Marietta College.
The Robert G. “Red” Williams Music Award, an annual award, established in 1987 by Donna Lou Sisk Williams, Class of 1933, in memory of the late Robert G. “Red” Williams, Class of 1933. The Williams Award is given to a freshman who has demonstrated excellence in music performance in high school and will continue to participate in music performance at Marietta College. It is not necessary for the recipient to be a music major. In selecting recipients, preference will be given to students from Kanawha County, West Virginia or Washington County, Ohio.
Group Scholarship Bowls are awarded each semester in four categories. Women: 1) Best Academic Record, and 2) Most Academic Improvement; Men: 1) Best Academic Record, and 2) Most Academic Improvement. Winning of a particular bowl for three consecutive award periods results in that bowl being retired to the winning group for permanent possession. A new bowl is then entered in competition.